Introduction
The Freedom Writers were a class of students who attended Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, Califormia. During this time, race played a strong part in everything and gang violence was heavy. The students of this class and at the school were all of different nationalities and seperated themselves accordingly Under the brand new teacher, Ms. Erin Gruwell, the Freedom Writers class breaks the barriers of race and differences to rock the foundations of prejudice, discrimination, and gang wars. This class became heros in their school and changed their doomed situations into true success stories. "The Freedom Writers Diary" is a book Ms. Gruwell put together out of the journals she had her students write. The Freedom Writers are a play on words from the Freedom Riders and are considered heros in their community.
Task
Your task for this webquest will be to find a modern day hero who is making a difference in their community. You will do this by completing three lessons. First you will read an interview with the teacher Erin Gruwell after her students have graduated and she has begun the Freedom Writers Foundation. This article talks about what Ms. Gruwell did to inspire and help her "at-risk" students, and why she is considered a hero. This will help you understand what Ms. Gruwell accomplished and how she was a hero to her students. The second lesson will be making a crossword out of vocabulary words. This will help you better understand the words and how to define them.
Next you will research a modern day hero in your community or in any community across the world. You will then answer questions about this person. Through this you will find out what and why the hero is doing what they do. Finally, to complete this project, you will write an essay about your modern day hero. In this writing piece you will explain why this person is a hero and how you can also be hero in your own community. For example, I might research Malala Yousafazi as my modern day hero. The I would continue to explain that her father owned a school and that helped inspire her to advocate the education of girls, and then when she was shot it empowered her even more to fight for childhood education.
Process
Lesson 1
Read the article and answer the following questions:
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/09/in-defense-of-the-f…
1) How did Ms. Gruwell initially inspire her students to learn and succeed?
2) She gave them special books to read; why did this encourage and support the students?
3) What does Ms. gruwell now do to help at-risk students all over the country? How is she helping the teachers of these students?
4) Why is Ms. Gruwell considered to be the hero that she is?
Lesson 2
Make a crossword with the following vocabulary. Include hints using the definitions to solve the puzzle.
Tolerance
Respect
Justice
Compassion
Empathy
Sympathy
Integrity
Sincere
Honesty
Unique
Original
Lesson 3
Research a modern day hero who is making a difference in the world today. Then answer these questions with more than one sentence for each.
1) What is this person doing to make a difference? Where are they doing these actions?
2) Why is this person doing what they do? What motivated them to start helping; was it something that happened to them or their family? Explain.
3) How do their actions make a difference?
4) Why is this person considered a hero, or why do you consider this person a hero?
Lesson 4
Lastly, you will write a 5 paragraph essay about the modern hero you found. Explain how this person becme a hero. Persuade me that this person is a hero. Another prompt you can explain how the actions of the Freedom Writers and the person you found are all heros. Tell how they are different and how they are the same. Pick one of these prompts to write your essay on.
Evaluation
Lesson 1:
Questions are answered with more than one word and come from the reading. 2 points for each, and a total possibility of 10 points.
Lesson 2:
Crossword is completed and uses all the words with hints. There is a total of 10 points.
Lesson 3:
A sufficient person is researched to be used as the modern day hero. The questions are answered in detail and with more than one sentence. 3 points given for each answered question. There is a total of 12 points.
Lesson 4:
Compare and Contrast Essay Rubric
|
Criteria |
4 – Advanced |
3 – Proficient |
2 – Progressing |
1 – Non Proficient |
|
Opening |
* Strong main idea *Thesis/topic sentence is clear & concise *Identifies character, theme or issue |
*Adequate main idea *Topic sentence identifies character, theme or issue |
*Main idea is unclear *Topic sentence is unclear *Doesn't address character, theme or issue |
*Main idea & topic sentence is not evident |
|
Organization |
*Well developed essay with a clear & logical format |
*Generally well organized with a clear & logical format |
*Some evidence of planning & organization |
*Lacks little planning & organization |
|
Support |
*Includes 3 or more well developed examples OR reasons for each similarity or difference |
*Includes at least 2 examples OR reasons for each similarity or difference |
*Includes at least 1 example OR reason but some information maybe incorrect |
*Provides little if any support for each similarity or difference |
|
Conclusion |
*States a thoughtful or logical conclusion based on similarities & differences |
*States a conclusion based on similarities & differences |
*Conclusion is evident but does not draw on any similarities or differences |
*No evidence of any conclusion or summary |
|
Mechanics |
*Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content *Needs little or no editing *Good word choice |
* Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content *Needs editing but doesn't distract from reading *Good word choice |
*Writer makes 3-5 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content *Need editing which distracts from reading *Decent word choice |
*Writer makes more than 5 errors in grammar or spelling that distracts from understanding/communication *Needs major editing *Poor word choice |
Essay Prompt 1
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've completed this webquest. You now know more about some heros in the world today and how to be a hero. You also know the impact that a good act can have. Good job!
Credits
Modern hero website:
http://www.biography.com/people/malala-yousafzai-21362253#awesm=~oElodY…
Article website:
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/09/in-defense-of-the-f…
